Life These September Days

As I wrap up week 3 of mine going back to work after a 9 month long maternity leave, I find my self longing for those slower days when I was home.   Though all the glory of postpartum healing and taking care of a newborn in a house full of older kids was not easy, I felt that I did have some control of my day and how I wanted to spend it.   The days when my membership cards to various kid places slipped out of my wallet as easily and (almost) as frequently as Visa are gone.  And the beloved public library visits? Not the first thing that comes to mind when I come home and my babies fall into my arms.

I know there are working moms out there that begin before the sun is up and make it home in time to make dinner and haul kids to various events.  I cannot even and don't know how you do it.  I love working part-time and that the schedule this school year allows me to wake up with my babies and cuddle with them in the morning.  Baths happen in the morning too and I love giving them then.

 These two are becoming pretty good buds spending a biiiiiig chunk of the day side by side.

I love that I get to send my older kids off to school with kisses and breakfast and homework (fingers crossed) and other paperwork complete.   I love that I'm home to meet them when they come from school.

But I really, really miss our outings with my younger babies.  Having a  mid-day work schedule just doesn't allow for driving across town and spending several hours exploring all things fun.

Soccer makes us go out and play on the playground while we wait for boys to finish practice and I'm grateful for that time.   Its been a pretty good Autumn so far, hoping for a rainless next 6 weeks or so.

Lemetellyou....I'm one proud mama when I see my boys out there on the field.   They got a knack for sports and I don't mind one bit.  They want to try football next fall.   I'm pretty excited about that, but not for the gear that will go along with it ;)

I'm also a one proud mama of one very responsible 12 year old.  

She got into the yearbook class this year and is taking at least two other advanced classes.  She is still taking piano (though very very reluctantly) lessons and is one of the best forwards on her soccer team.  

I spy with my little eye the most beautiful girl on a team.   Can you? ;)  

 I was twelve when I came to the United States.    Little things she does remind me of me and its a good thing as it helps me to keep things in perspective.  

~  We are trying something new this September.   The kids are not allowed to be on ANY screen during the week day.    The truth is with all the activities and homework they have going on there is just NO time for it anyway.  But, Fridays are what we call Fun Fridays when they are allowed to watch/use screens for as long as they want to as long as it doesn't interfere with dinner or outings, etc.  

It's going great so far.  We'll see if we can keep that going ;)  

Better get back to my laundry...unlike the food in my fridge, it's exactly in the same place I saw it last!